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Thread: Does Singular collective noun of plural nouns take a singular or plural verb

  1. 18-Feb-2013, 17:15 #1
    Jaggers
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    Default Does Singular collective noun of plural nouns take a singular or plural verb

    Help.


    Which of the following is correct?

    A group of prisoners has [singular verb] escaped
    A group of prisoners have [plural verb] escaped

    It should be (a), right? But that feels wrong because the noun immediately preceding the verb is a plural.

    Any views?
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  2. 18-Feb-2013, 20:36 #2
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    bhaisahab
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    Default Re: Does Singular collective noun of plural nouns take a singular or plural verb

    Quote Originally Posted by Jaggers View Post
    Help.


    Which of the following is correct?

    A group of prisoners has [singular verb] escaped
    A group of prisoners have [plural verb] escaped

    It should be (a), right? But that feels wrong because the noun immediately preceding the verb is a plural.

    Any views?
    Both are possible.
    Odessa Dawn, Rover_KE and 5jj like this.
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  3. 23-Feb-2013, 17:05 #3
    Jaggers
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    Default Re: Does Singular collective noun of plural nouns take a singular or plural verb

    Thank you! Having posted question, I then found the question had been asked previous (several times!). Good always to search first!
    Rover_KE, bhaisahab and riquecohen like this.
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